the big oak is further along in development so it has a more natural look for a southern live oak with broad weeping branches. the little oak will get there soon enough, just not there yet. both are doing the oak thing.

Just out of curiosity, do you ever show your trees? You clearly have great skill and artistry, and your trees are fantastic.

I used to awhile back when I had more time. Then 2 or 3 years ago I did put a couple in the Michigan All-State Show. I was going to hit the MABA this year since its in Grand Rapids, but it snuck up on me and I just cannot take the time to do it (show is going on right now). I might show a tree in the Midwest Show in August, but again, when it comes down to it, I probably will not have the time to do it. I have a job, wife who works full time, and kids that get 1st dibs. I'm the VP for the Humane Society of Southwest Michigan. I am active in our church and I teach bible school every Sunday. I have a lot of trees to care for too. My schedule is pretty full, mostly, so I don't have large blocks of free time. Shows require preparation, which isn't too bad. The deal-breaker is the overall time commitment with odd delivery and pick-up times to boot. So, as much as I'd like to get out there more often, I just cannot do it. Sorry for droning on.

Hi Don, you must be pretty organized to be able to juggle all those responsibilities. I'm sure I speak for all of us here when I say that we're happy you take the time to post pictures of your great trees.

One of the trees I purchased from Don a shohin bonsai cascade Pinus thunbergii (Japanese Black Pine) in March of 2009 was in my shohin display at Shohin St. Louis in the spring of 2009 and was placed second best tree in the show. The judge was Tigra Urushibata from Japan. It was the first show I ever participated in. My interest in bonsai began in Aug 2008 after I purchase a tree for my son from Cass Bonsai at the Japanese Festival held at the Missouri Botanical Garden. I bought my first tree which was also from Don on Dec 11 2008. It was also in the display. It is a Juniniper chinensis, Itoigawa Shimpaku. There is a current pic taken a few days ago on a current thread on this forum which I think I called Shohin Itoigawa Shimpaku STL.

Don is great to due business with. I have been extremely pleased with every tree I have purchased from him. I highly recommend Gregory Beach Bonsai to anyone who is looking for quality trees and great pre-bonsai stock. I have purchased over half a dozen trees from him, he is extremely helpful and a great guy. The quality of my shohin collection is due in large part to his artistry and talent.

BEAUTIFUL OAK!!!! i AM A HUGE FAN OF OAKS... ALL OF MINES ARE DEVELOPING AT THIS TIME THO. I AM LOCATED IN SOUTHERN OHIO SO AT THIS TIME I HAVE TWO RED OAKS, A PIN OAK, THREE CHESTNUT OAKS, AND ONE WHITE OAK. rather unconventional species i'd say, but one of the chestnut oaks' trunk is very furrowed and ramification needs to come along but the main three branches are set, so hopefully next year ramification can progress a bit.